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If Brett Favre really wants to be traded, he could pressure the Packers into doing it, given his stature in the game. The Packers don't think they're in a rebuilding mode and want Favre to lead their team next season, but if he is truly unhappy, they could find takers for his services. From a salary-cap standpoint, they'd be able to wipe Favre's $11 million base salary off the books while absorbing only a small hit from the prorated portion of his original contract. They might be able to find a team that thinks it's on the brink of a championship and needs only a veteran quarterback (Washington, Denver and Jacksonville come to mind) and squeeze out a high pick. Ted Thompson probably wouldn't object to trading Favre if the quarterback were dead-set on playing somewhere else. Favre could threaten retirement unless the Packers trade him to a contender. They already have what they think is their quarterback of the future in Aaron Rodgers, although he is coming off a broken foot and hasn't proved anything yet. At this point, the situation doesn't appear to be anywhere close to where Thompson would consider a trade.
Another report has surfaced that claims Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was involved in illegal dog fighting. Fox Sports Radio's Chris Landry told a Tampa Bay radio station on Friday that he was told by former Falcons player Ray Buchanan that Vick is directly involved in dog fighting. Attempts by the Journal-Constitution to reach Buchanan through a representative were unsuccessful. Landry could not be reached for comment. Landry told the radio station that Buchanan told him at last month's NFL draft that Vick was definitely involved. "He tells me that Michael has been into this dog fighting for so long that ... he not only knew about, he is behind all of it, he's paying for all of it. ... Apparently, he's into it big time," Landry said. An investigation of illegal dog fighting at property Vick owned, and has since sold, in Virginia is ongoing. Police were at the property in a drug investigation involving Vick's cousin when nearly 70 dogs, mostly pit bulls, were discovered. No charges have been filed in the case. Buchanan played for the Falcons with Vick for three seasons from 2001-03.
To prepare for what could be his final year with the Cowboys — his contract expires after this season — Julius Jones spent much of the spring in Arizona working out with a personal trainer. "I'm all about business this year," Jones said. "That's why I made the switch to go to Arizona and train and get in the best shape I could possibly be in. There were no distractions there. "This is my fourth year, I have a lot to prove. And I want to stay here and be a Cowboy." Asked about recent trade rumors that involve him, Jones said, "I don't know what to believe. I hear the same things y'all hear, and I just remove myself from the situation. I went to Arizona, worked out and got strong and lean and fast, and here I am."
Saints receiver Robert Meachem was down on himself Sunday after having the worst kind of welcome-to-the-NFL experience during rookie minicamp. The Saints' first-round draft pick admittedly arrived out of shape after falling behind in offseason workouts this spring. He then tweaked his left ankle Sunday morning and had to head to the training room. "It's not disappointing. It's frustrating, because you know what you can do, and it's kind of hard to show the coaches what you can do when you can't give it your all," said Meachem, who said he did well in spurts Saturday but fatigue led to inconsistency. Meachem said part of the reason he fell behind this spring was that he had nine pre-draft visits with NFL teams, each of which seemed to include a fancy meal or two.
The Eagles have a decision to make about L.J. Smith, and they're running out of time to make it. Smith's agent, Brian Mackler, has had contract talks with the Eagles over the last few seasons, including some discussions at the end of last season. The sides have never really come close to an agreement on what Smith is worth, and it appears as if the fifth-year tight end is going to enter into that thing known in professional sports as "the contract year." "Obviously, it's very important, but . . . it's something you can't control as a player," Smith said yesterday as the Eagles continued their three-day minicamp at the NovaCare Complex. "It's pretty black and white. It's either they're going to pay you or they're not. You hope your agent can get it done, but sometimes it's even out of his hands. . . . "I can show my talent to the world and the rest of the league, and whatever is supposed to happen will happen."
Disgruntled guard Alan Faneca left Pittsburgh on Sunday following the conclusion of minicamp, and he doesn't figure to return until training camp in July. Organized team activities start May 22 and run to the middle of June. The practices are not mandatory, and Faneca has no plans to participate in them, since the six-time Pro Bowler is in a contract dispute with the Steelers. "I'm hopeful," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said when asked whether Faneca will be at any of the practices. "I don't know what that's going to buy me."
Patriots coach Bill Belichick refused to comment yesterday on reports out of San Diego that veteran linebacker Junior Seau was on the verge of re-signing with the team, pending a physical. “I’ll talk about the players that are here,” Belichick said, when asked to verify the report, which suggested the deal could be finalized later this week.
The Kansas City Chiefs have such an inflated opinion of Trent Green's value that they even raised Chris Chambers' name in trade talks. The Dolphins, obviously, wouldn't do that.
Cowboys QB Tony Romo will no longer have to worry about holding on kicks. Backup quarterback Brad Johnson and punter Mat McBriar are candidates to replace him. "What happened in Seattle won't be a factor for (Romo)," says coach Wade Phillips, who replaced the retired Parcells. "And he did bring the team back to where a field goal would have won the game. He was the guy, the quarterback, who took them down there. "The holder Romo we got rid of."
As for Tank Johnson, some league observers speculate that, like Chris Henry, he may be suspended for half a season. Bears officials have said they hope the NFL will agree with them that Johnson's jail sentence was punishment enough. Bears coach Lovie Smith, who also visited Johnson in jail, has said the lineman has "shown us his willingness to make changes for the betterment of himself and the people he cares about."
Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson was asked how Jevon Kearse looks as he comes back from knee surgery. Kearse acknowledged recently that he is down to 240 pounds or less, but said he expects to be about 20 pounds heavier for training camp. "He looks very light, but I'm happy he's out there," Johnson said. "He's far more advanced [in terms of recovery] than we thought he would be."
Falcons coach Bobby Petrino said he's hoping Michael Vick can complete 65 percent of his passes this season, which would be a jump of nearly 10 percent. Why is Petrino so optimistic Vick can make such a leap, and why has his coaching and his system produced such success? "The way we practice," Petrino said. "It's quarterback friendly. We practice routes every day, pass skeleton routes, blitz routes. Everything I do in practice is for the quarterback to have success. What I believe is if you get a quarterback to play well, you have a chance for success. So most everything in how we set up in practice has him in mind."
In Ozzie Newsome's first 10 drafts with the Ravens, his first-round selections have made a total of 28 Pro Bowl appearances, which is particularly impressive when you consider Baltimore often picks in the bottom half of the first round due to its success. Since 1999 -- when Newsome put the final pieces together to win Super Bowl XXXV and cap the 2000 season -- 74.2 percent of the players he selected in the draft are on an NFL roster (46 of 62) and more than half of those are still with the Ravens. Baltimore is also one of six teams (the others are Chicago, Indianapolis, New England, Oakland and Washington) that do not belong to the two major scouting services used by the rest of the NFL clubs. Newsome, instead, uses that money for an extra scout on the payroll and relies on his evaluators within the organization.
Eagles' Jeremiah Trotter, asked if he is concerned about losing his starting middle linebacking role to Omar Gaither, answered with one word: "No." Later, asked the same question a different way, Trotter, 30, coming off a season when his creaky knees seemed to betray him, said: "I've always been a self-motivator. I've always been someone who plays the game because I love the game and I have a passion to play, and have a desire to be the best at what I do. I don't feel any need, I don't feel any pressure, or anything like that. "As young players, that's their job. They have to be hungry. When I came in, I was hungry, I wanted to start. I was doing everything possible to start. It didn't work out that way my rookie year. One day when I'm finished, and Omar's the man, or whoever, he's going to have a young guy pushing him. That's just the way the game goes. There's always competition, and everyone fights for their job every year." It seems likely Trotter will be off the field more on passing downs this season, in favor of Gaither.
The only Pats locker more barren than Randy Moss’ belongs to Asante Samuel, the cornerback who was given the franchise tag and last month indicated he wasn’t happy about it. Like Moss’ locker, there are mostly just team-issued items in Samuel’s, other than a pair of sandals and some mail.
Anthony Henry hasn't been asked about moving to safety. At least not recently, he said. The Cowboys cornerback said the subject of moving positions was discussed during the off-season, but that he feels a move isn't likely. "It came up," Henry said. "As far as it being something they wanted me to do, I would have done it. But I think that's taken care of with the addition of Ken Hamlin, Pat Watkins in his second year, and we have Keith Davis."
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin got another long look at his players during the minicamp that concluded Sunday. That doesn't mean Tomlin has a good read on what he has at running back behind Pro Bowler Willie Parker, since there was no hitting in the five practices the Steelers just held. What is necessary is someone to emerge from a group that includes Kevan Barlow and Najeh Davenport, and not just for insurance purposes, should something happen to Parker. Tomlin has said he wants to use two backs to run the football this year, and the homegrown Barlow and Davenport are the top two candidates to complement Parker.
Brett Favre's trade request certainly won't sit well with some teammates. In essence, Favre is saying he doesn't think the current players are good enough for the Packers to be a contending team.
You won't find Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo in a therapist's office. Or any other place people go to shake the blues. Romo isn't depressed. He's not in need of counseling or comforting. He doesn't lie awake at night playing the what-if game. His eyes still twinkle when he cracks wise, which is often, and he isn't afraid to discuss with reporters that cold, damp night four months ago in Seattle when those same eyes filled with tears. "I always knew I would be OK," Romo says, surrounded by reporters at the Cowboys' minicamp. Few who saw Romo in the locker room at Qwest Field after the Seahawks' improbable 21-20 playoff victory thought such a recovery was possible. After botching a hold on a potential winning chip-shot field goal attempt with 1:19 to play, an inconsolable Romo seemed destined for an offseason — and possibly a career — of misery.
Cowboys veteran guard Marco Rivera, who is coming off back surgery for the second time in as many off-seasons and is not participating in this minicamp, was vague about his status. When asked his thoughts about his possible retirement or return, Rivera said, "I'm kinda enjoying all the twists and turns."
Keith Jackson Sr. was an All-America tight end at the University of Oklahoma and is in the College Football Hall of Fame. A first-round draft pick by Philadelphia in 1988, he caught 441 passes, made six Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl (with Green Bay) during a nine-year NFL career. All of which is a tough act to follow for Keith Jackson Jr., a Rams rookie defensive tackle. "It has been tough at times," said Jackson, a seventh-round pick from Arkansas. "But I always played defense, so I had my own footsteps I had to make because I played a totally different position." Besides, having a father who was an NFL star did have its perks. Like those family "vacations" to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. And that trip to the Super Bowl. "That was the really, really big deal that inspired me in life — going to the Super Bowl," Jackson said.
A source close to Brett Favre told the Press-Gazette on Sunday that Favre might have talked about wanting a trade shortly after the draft but has given no such indication recently. Favre finally spoke with coach Mike McCarthy in the last week or so, the first time the two had talked since the draft. "He wouldn't be doing these offseason workouts and all that (if he wanted a trade)," the source said. "He's been busting his (butt). I don't see him not playing for (the Packers). It wouldn't surprise me if he told (Cook) or somebody that (he wanted a trade) — he was mad — but he wouldn't be busting his (butt) like this."
LB David Harris' work against the run is the main reason the Jets traded with the Packers to move up in the second round to select the 6-2, 243-pounder. Harris will likely compete with Eric Barton for the starting inside spot alongside Jonathan Vilma as the team tries to improve its 24th-ranked run defense. Harris learned under Jets linebackers coach Jim Herrmann -- Michigan's former defensive coordinator -- and played in the 3-4 scheme his sophomore season.
Falcons tailback Warrick Dunn either has a big hill to climb entering his 11th NFL season or additional chips to place on his surgically repaired shoulder. Seemingly always on borrowed time, the Falcons' starter for most of the past five seasons said he might as well add a new coach that owes him no favors to the mix, too. "I have to go out and prove what I can do," said the 32-year-old, 180-pound Dunn. "It's a new coaching staff and every year you have to prove yourself. I have to prove my worth." There is a new system based on a power-running scheme. Jerious Norwood is bigger (210 pounds) and more seasoned to the NFL game after a standout rookie season (633 yards, 6.4 yards per carry). He's also a very good receiver, something mandatory in coach Bobby Petrino's system. So what will Dunn's and Norwood's roles be? Nobody knows right now because Dunn has been limited in offseason workouts, including the two mini-camps after having tissue from his right rotator cuff surgically reattached to the bone.
Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg was asked to compare free-agent addition Kevin Curtis to the man he is replacing, free-agent departure Donté Stallworth. "They both run fast," Mornhinweg said. "However, they're a little bit different. There's not a very good comparison there."
Talk about your high pitch counts. As the only quarterback at the Rams minicamp, rookie free agent Drew Tate of Iowa got in hundreds of throws over the course of the weekend. "My arm's fine," Tate said Sunday. "My feet are about to fall off, though." It seems Tate made the mistake of breaking in new shoes over the weekend instead of bringing some from home that were worn in. Although his arm came through fine, Tate said he got "burned out" by the workload at times on Saturday. "You're just trying to be perfect as a free-agent rookie," Tate said.
Funniest item found in the Pats locker room? Long snapper Lonie Paxton’s mini-refrigerator with a taped message across the door: “No rookies.”
Rams majority owner Georgia Frontiere dropped in near the end of Sunday afternoon's practice, addressed the players and then posed with them in a group photo. "Last year she came out on the same day, and we took a picture with the rookies," Linehan said. "I know she's somewhat of a traditionalist, and I thought she might be here for this one."
Another report has surfaced that claims Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was involved in illegal dog fighting. Fox Sports Radio's Chris Landry told a Tampa Bay radio station on Friday that he was told by former Falcons player Ray Buchanan that Vick is directly involved in dog fighting. Attempts by the Journal-Constitution to reach Buchanan through a representative were unsuccessful. Landry could not be reached for comment. Landry told the radio station that Buchanan told him at last month's NFL draft that Vick was definitely involved. "He tells me that Michael has been into this dog fighting for so long that ... he not only knew about, he is behind all of it, he's paying for all of it. ... Apparently, he's into it big time," Landry said. An investigation of illegal dog fighting at property Vick owned, and has since sold, in Virginia is ongoing. Police were at the property in a drug investigation involving Vick's cousin when nearly 70 dogs, mostly pit bulls, were discovered. No charges have been filed in the case. Buchanan played for the Falcons with Vick for three seasons from 2001-03.
To prepare for what could be his final year with the Cowboys — his contract expires after this season — Julius Jones spent much of the spring in Arizona working out with a personal trainer. "I'm all about business this year," Jones said. "That's why I made the switch to go to Arizona and train and get in the best shape I could possibly be in. There were no distractions there. "This is my fourth year, I have a lot to prove. And I want to stay here and be a Cowboy." Asked about recent trade rumors that involve him, Jones said, "I don't know what to believe. I hear the same things y'all hear, and I just remove myself from the situation. I went to Arizona, worked out and got strong and lean and fast, and here I am."
Saints receiver Robert Meachem was down on himself Sunday after having the worst kind of welcome-to-the-NFL experience during rookie minicamp. The Saints' first-round draft pick admittedly arrived out of shape after falling behind in offseason workouts this spring. He then tweaked his left ankle Sunday morning and had to head to the training room. "It's not disappointing. It's frustrating, because you know what you can do, and it's kind of hard to show the coaches what you can do when you can't give it your all," said Meachem, who said he did well in spurts Saturday but fatigue led to inconsistency. Meachem said part of the reason he fell behind this spring was that he had nine pre-draft visits with NFL teams, each of which seemed to include a fancy meal or two.
The Eagles have a decision to make about L.J. Smith, and they're running out of time to make it. Smith's agent, Brian Mackler, has had contract talks with the Eagles over the last few seasons, including some discussions at the end of last season. The sides have never really come close to an agreement on what Smith is worth, and it appears as if the fifth-year tight end is going to enter into that thing known in professional sports as "the contract year." "Obviously, it's very important, but . . . it's something you can't control as a player," Smith said yesterday as the Eagles continued their three-day minicamp at the NovaCare Complex. "It's pretty black and white. It's either they're going to pay you or they're not. You hope your agent can get it done, but sometimes it's even out of his hands. . . . "I can show my talent to the world and the rest of the league, and whatever is supposed to happen will happen."
Disgruntled guard Alan Faneca left Pittsburgh on Sunday following the conclusion of minicamp, and he doesn't figure to return until training camp in July. Organized team activities start May 22 and run to the middle of June. The practices are not mandatory, and Faneca has no plans to participate in them, since the six-time Pro Bowler is in a contract dispute with the Steelers. "I'm hopeful," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said when asked whether Faneca will be at any of the practices. "I don't know what that's going to buy me."
Patriots coach Bill Belichick refused to comment yesterday on reports out of San Diego that veteran linebacker Junior Seau was on the verge of re-signing with the team, pending a physical. “I’ll talk about the players that are here,” Belichick said, when asked to verify the report, which suggested the deal could be finalized later this week.
The Kansas City Chiefs have such an inflated opinion of Trent Green's value that they even raised Chris Chambers' name in trade talks. The Dolphins, obviously, wouldn't do that.
Cowboys QB Tony Romo will no longer have to worry about holding on kicks. Backup quarterback Brad Johnson and punter Mat McBriar are candidates to replace him. "What happened in Seattle won't be a factor for (Romo)," says coach Wade Phillips, who replaced the retired Parcells. "And he did bring the team back to where a field goal would have won the game. He was the guy, the quarterback, who took them down there. "The holder Romo we got rid of."
As for Tank Johnson, some league observers speculate that, like Chris Henry, he may be suspended for half a season. Bears officials have said they hope the NFL will agree with them that Johnson's jail sentence was punishment enough. Bears coach Lovie Smith, who also visited Johnson in jail, has said the lineman has "shown us his willingness to make changes for the betterment of himself and the people he cares about."
Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson was asked how Jevon Kearse looks as he comes back from knee surgery. Kearse acknowledged recently that he is down to 240 pounds or less, but said he expects to be about 20 pounds heavier for training camp. "He looks very light, but I'm happy he's out there," Johnson said. "He's far more advanced [in terms of recovery] than we thought he would be."
Falcons coach Bobby Petrino said he's hoping Michael Vick can complete 65 percent of his passes this season, which would be a jump of nearly 10 percent. Why is Petrino so optimistic Vick can make such a leap, and why has his coaching and his system produced such success? "The way we practice," Petrino said. "It's quarterback friendly. We practice routes every day, pass skeleton routes, blitz routes. Everything I do in practice is for the quarterback to have success. What I believe is if you get a quarterback to play well, you have a chance for success. So most everything in how we set up in practice has him in mind."
In Ozzie Newsome's first 10 drafts with the Ravens, his first-round selections have made a total of 28 Pro Bowl appearances, which is particularly impressive when you consider Baltimore often picks in the bottom half of the first round due to its success. Since 1999 -- when Newsome put the final pieces together to win Super Bowl XXXV and cap the 2000 season -- 74.2 percent of the players he selected in the draft are on an NFL roster (46 of 62) and more than half of those are still with the Ravens. Baltimore is also one of six teams (the others are Chicago, Indianapolis, New England, Oakland and Washington) that do not belong to the two major scouting services used by the rest of the NFL clubs. Newsome, instead, uses that money for an extra scout on the payroll and relies on his evaluators within the organization.
Eagles' Jeremiah Trotter, asked if he is concerned about losing his starting middle linebacking role to Omar Gaither, answered with one word: "No." Later, asked the same question a different way, Trotter, 30, coming off a season when his creaky knees seemed to betray him, said: "I've always been a self-motivator. I've always been someone who plays the game because I love the game and I have a passion to play, and have a desire to be the best at what I do. I don't feel any need, I don't feel any pressure, or anything like that. "As young players, that's their job. They have to be hungry. When I came in, I was hungry, I wanted to start. I was doing everything possible to start. It didn't work out that way my rookie year. One day when I'm finished, and Omar's the man, or whoever, he's going to have a young guy pushing him. That's just the way the game goes. There's always competition, and everyone fights for their job every year." It seems likely Trotter will be off the field more on passing downs this season, in favor of Gaither.
The only Pats locker more barren than Randy Moss’ belongs to Asante Samuel, the cornerback who was given the franchise tag and last month indicated he wasn’t happy about it. Like Moss’ locker, there are mostly just team-issued items in Samuel’s, other than a pair of sandals and some mail.
Anthony Henry hasn't been asked about moving to safety. At least not recently, he said. The Cowboys cornerback said the subject of moving positions was discussed during the off-season, but that he feels a move isn't likely. "It came up," Henry said. "As far as it being something they wanted me to do, I would have done it. But I think that's taken care of with the addition of Ken Hamlin, Pat Watkins in his second year, and we have Keith Davis."
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin got another long look at his players during the minicamp that concluded Sunday. That doesn't mean Tomlin has a good read on what he has at running back behind Pro Bowler Willie Parker, since there was no hitting in the five practices the Steelers just held. What is necessary is someone to emerge from a group that includes Kevan Barlow and Najeh Davenport, and not just for insurance purposes, should something happen to Parker. Tomlin has said he wants to use two backs to run the football this year, and the homegrown Barlow and Davenport are the top two candidates to complement Parker.
Brett Favre's trade request certainly won't sit well with some teammates. In essence, Favre is saying he doesn't think the current players are good enough for the Packers to be a contending team.
You won't find Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo in a therapist's office. Or any other place people go to shake the blues. Romo isn't depressed. He's not in need of counseling or comforting. He doesn't lie awake at night playing the what-if game. His eyes still twinkle when he cracks wise, which is often, and he isn't afraid to discuss with reporters that cold, damp night four months ago in Seattle when those same eyes filled with tears. "I always knew I would be OK," Romo says, surrounded by reporters at the Cowboys' minicamp. Few who saw Romo in the locker room at Qwest Field after the Seahawks' improbable 21-20 playoff victory thought such a recovery was possible. After botching a hold on a potential winning chip-shot field goal attempt with 1:19 to play, an inconsolable Romo seemed destined for an offseason — and possibly a career — of misery.
Cowboys veteran guard Marco Rivera, who is coming off back surgery for the second time in as many off-seasons and is not participating in this minicamp, was vague about his status. When asked his thoughts about his possible retirement or return, Rivera said, "I'm kinda enjoying all the twists and turns."
Keith Jackson Sr. was an All-America tight end at the University of Oklahoma and is in the College Football Hall of Fame. A first-round draft pick by Philadelphia in 1988, he caught 441 passes, made six Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl (with Green Bay) during a nine-year NFL career. All of which is a tough act to follow for Keith Jackson Jr., a Rams rookie defensive tackle. "It has been tough at times," said Jackson, a seventh-round pick from Arkansas. "But I always played defense, so I had my own footsteps I had to make because I played a totally different position." Besides, having a father who was an NFL star did have its perks. Like those family "vacations" to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. And that trip to the Super Bowl. "That was the really, really big deal that inspired me in life — going to the Super Bowl," Jackson said.
A source close to Brett Favre told the Press-Gazette on Sunday that Favre might have talked about wanting a trade shortly after the draft but has given no such indication recently. Favre finally spoke with coach Mike McCarthy in the last week or so, the first time the two had talked since the draft. "He wouldn't be doing these offseason workouts and all that (if he wanted a trade)," the source said. "He's been busting his (butt). I don't see him not playing for (the Packers). It wouldn't surprise me if he told (Cook) or somebody that (he wanted a trade) — he was mad — but he wouldn't be busting his (butt) like this."
LB David Harris' work against the run is the main reason the Jets traded with the Packers to move up in the second round to select the 6-2, 243-pounder. Harris will likely compete with Eric Barton for the starting inside spot alongside Jonathan Vilma as the team tries to improve its 24th-ranked run defense. Harris learned under Jets linebackers coach Jim Herrmann -- Michigan's former defensive coordinator -- and played in the 3-4 scheme his sophomore season.
Falcons tailback Warrick Dunn either has a big hill to climb entering his 11th NFL season or additional chips to place on his surgically repaired shoulder. Seemingly always on borrowed time, the Falcons' starter for most of the past five seasons said he might as well add a new coach that owes him no favors to the mix, too. "I have to go out and prove what I can do," said the 32-year-old, 180-pound Dunn. "It's a new coaching staff and every year you have to prove yourself. I have to prove my worth." There is a new system based on a power-running scheme. Jerious Norwood is bigger (210 pounds) and more seasoned to the NFL game after a standout rookie season (633 yards, 6.4 yards per carry). He's also a very good receiver, something mandatory in coach Bobby Petrino's system. So what will Dunn's and Norwood's roles be? Nobody knows right now because Dunn has been limited in offseason workouts, including the two mini-camps after having tissue from his right rotator cuff surgically reattached to the bone.
Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg was asked to compare free-agent addition Kevin Curtis to the man he is replacing, free-agent departure Donté Stallworth. "They both run fast," Mornhinweg said. "However, they're a little bit different. There's not a very good comparison there."
Talk about your high pitch counts. As the only quarterback at the Rams minicamp, rookie free agent Drew Tate of Iowa got in hundreds of throws over the course of the weekend. "My arm's fine," Tate said Sunday. "My feet are about to fall off, though." It seems Tate made the mistake of breaking in new shoes over the weekend instead of bringing some from home that were worn in. Although his arm came through fine, Tate said he got "burned out" by the workload at times on Saturday. "You're just trying to be perfect as a free-agent rookie," Tate said.
Funniest item found in the Pats locker room? Long snapper Lonie Paxton’s mini-refrigerator with a taped message across the door: “No rookies.”
Rams majority owner Georgia Frontiere dropped in near the end of Sunday afternoon's practice, addressed the players and then posed with them in a group photo. "Last year she came out on the same day, and we took a picture with the rookies," Linehan said. "I know she's somewhat of a traditionalist, and I thought she might be here for this one."
